Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Older People: Coronavirus

baroness massey of darwen: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they plan to provide to charities and the voluntary sector to protect elderly people from beingattacked in their homes by people who gain entrance on false pretences, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

baroness barran: Public safety and protecting the most vulnerable people in society from coronavirus is this government’s top priority. The Government has prepared ‘how to help safely’ guidance on Gov.uk to advise individuals and charities how they can help those isolating - including friends, family members and neighbours. This guidance is also accessible for the new Covid Mutual Aid groups that have been set up in response to the crisis. These pages have been accessed over 174,000 times since publication. Genuine volunteers have been instructed not to enter people’s homes, unless deemed essential. We advise that vulnerable people take general precautions such as asking for ID, not sharing financial details and, if in doubt, do not engage and report serious suspicious behaviour to the police.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

China: Coronavirus

lord mawson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between the global wildlife food trade in China and the spread of COVID-19.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The origin of the Covid-19 virus is not yet clear, although it has been linked to viruses occurring in animals. Pandemics arise as a combination of events and are a global concern. The World Animal Health Organisation, of which the UK is a member, will be addressing wildlife trade at the next general session. It will be important to definitively establish Covid-19's origins in due course. On 24 February 2020 China announced a proposal prohibiting the trade and consumption of wildlife and we will continue to discuss this important issue with the Chinese government.

Palestinians: Arrests

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the reported arrest of Palestinian volunteers on 16 March who were sterilising public facilities and areas in East Jerusalem.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Whilst we have not made representations regarding these reports, the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and the British Consulate-General in Jerusalem are in regular contact with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities respectively. Both report good co-operation between the two entities in response to COVID-19.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Homelessness: Coronavirus

baroness bull: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) steps are being taken, and (2) resources are being made available, to support and protect homeless communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

baroness bloomfield of hinton waldrist: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 23 March 2020.The correct answer should have been:

The Government recognises the challenges faced by those who are homeless or sleeping rough during the Covid-19 outbreak. We are working closely with local authorities and the sector to minimise the risk for vulnerable people and those currently unable to self-isolate.As an initial first step we have announced £3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to help rough sleepers and those at risk of sleeping rough to self-isolate. This funding will assist local authorities with providing accommodation and support to vulnerable people who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, Covid-19.This is in addition to part of a £1.6 billion fund allocated to local authorities to help them respond to coronavirus (Covid-19) pressures across all the services they deliver. This includes increasing support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people.Public Health England have also published guidance for those working in hostel and day centre environments.

baroness bloomfield of hinton waldrist: The Government recognises the challenges faced by those who are homeless or sleeping rough during the Covid-19 outbreak. We are working closely with local authorities and the sector to minimise the risk for vulnerable people and those currently unable to self-isolate.As an initial first step we have announced £3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to help rough sleepers and those at risk of sleeping rough to self-isolate. This funding will assist local authorities with providing accommodation and support to vulnerable people who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, Covid-19.This is in addition to part of a £1.6 billion fund allocated to local authorities to help them respond to coronavirus (Covid-19) pressures across all the services they deliver. This includes increasing support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people.Public Health England have also published guidance for those working in hostel and day centre environments.

Sleeping Rough: Coronavirus

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what special provisionthey will make for the care ofrough sleepers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

baroness bloomfield of hinton waldrist: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 23 March 2020.The correct answer should have been:

The Government recognises the challenges faced by those who are homeless or sleeping rough during the Covid-19 outbreak. We are working closely with local authorities and the sector to minimise the risk for vulnerable people and those currently unable to self-isolate.As an initial first step we have announced £3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to help rough sleepers and those at risk of sleeping rough to self-isolate. This funding will assist local authorities with providing accommodation and support to vulnerable people who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, Covid-19This is in addition to part of a £1.6 billion fund allocated to local authorities to help them respond to coronavirus (Covid-19) pressures across all the services they deliver. This includes increasing support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people.Public Health England have also published guidance for those working in hostel and day centre environments.

baroness bloomfield of hinton waldrist: The Government recognises the challenges faced by those who are homeless or sleeping rough during the Covid-19 outbreak. We are working closely with local authorities and the sector to minimise the risk for vulnerable people and those currently unable to self-isolate.As an initial first step we have announced £3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to help rough sleepers and those at risk of sleeping rough to self-isolate. This funding will assist local authorities with providing accommodation and support to vulnerable people who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, Covid-19This is in addition to part of a £1.6 billion fund allocated to local authorities to help them respond to coronavirus (Covid-19) pressures across all the services they deliver. This includes increasing support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people.Public Health England have also published guidance for those working in hostel and day centre environments.